Why did one go ‘mad’ after seeing the elephant and water clock sent by the Caliph? What is the connection with Pange in Europe, Israel-Palestine and Iran?

New Delhi: When the Middle Ages were beginning in Europe, there were 8 battles between Muslims and Christians in the form of Crusades. During this period, there were two emperors at one time, one of whom, Abbasi Caliph Harun al-Rashid, is called the great ruler of Islam. At the same time, the second Roman emperor Charlemagne became very famous in the Christian world. It is said that this war started over the occupation of the holy site Jerusalem, which is still a major issue of conflict between Israel, Iran and Palestine. Although the word Dharam Yudh is resonating these days during the campaign for Maharashtra Assembly elections, 2024, but its story is in the Middle East.

The war between three religions to conquer the holy land

Roman emperors fought 8 wars to capture the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, the holy land of Christianity. Which is called Crusade or Dharmayuddha. It is also called the Battle of Salibi. At that time, this war was fought to take back their land from the Caliphs, the leaders of the Turkic Muslims. The holy land of the Roman emperors, i.e. Christians, was occupied by the Islamic army, whereas Moses had established his/her kingdom on this same land. For this reason the Jews also claim their rights on it.

Expensive gifts were sent between the Roman emperor and the Caliph.

The story of these crusades begins much earlier, when Europe was ruled by the Roman emperor Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great or Karl der Gross (747–814 AD). Charlemagne and the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid of Baghdad (763–809 AD) were traditionally enemies of each other. But, every now and then, both of them behaved like lovers by giving each other expensive and attractive gifts. Emperor Charlemagne took the initiative to convert this enmity into friendship and he/she was the first person to send a messenger to the Caliph with the message of friendship.

When the Caliph sent the elephant, the whole of Europe gathered to see it.

Charlemagne sent red velvet cloth and luxury goods to the Caliph. In return Caliph Al Rashid sent silk clothes, fragrant perfumes, fragrant spices and an exotic elephant. This animal had probably not been seen in the whole of Europe till then. People kept coming for months to see it and camped in front of the palace.

The Roman Emperor was heartbroken by the death of the elephant.

This elephant was earlier known as Abu Al Abbas, like the first Abbasid Caliph. Charlemagne became so fond of this elephant that he/she reportedly took it with him/her on many of his/her campaigns. The emperor was heartbroken when his/her beloved Abu al-Abbas died in June, 810, the same month as his/her eldest daughter Rotrude.

Europe was shocked by the Caliph’s water clock

The gift that caused the greatest astonishment at Charlemagne’s court, and in Europe for centuries to come, was a sophisticated water clock. This water-powered clock was a masterpiece of contemporary engineering, dating back almost a thousand years before the coal clock was invented in Germany. Whoever saw it was surprised. This clock also had 12 horsemen who would come out of 12 windows at the end of each hour and close the already open windows with their movements.

Caliphate’s empire 10 times bigger than that of Romans

At the time of al-Rashid, the Abbasid Empire covered approximately 5 million square miles, while the rule of Charlemagne, who ruled the Carolingian Empire, was limited to just one-tenth of the Caliphate. Technology was changing rapidly under the rule of these two. In such a situation, relations were also changing rapidly.

It became a scientific and cultural center during the Abbasid rule.

The Abbasids were the wealthiest and most powerful empire of the time and a scientific and cultural center of the medieval world. Which was actually the successor to both the Byzantines and the Persians. This was reflected in the grandeur of the newly established imperial capital Baghdad, which was close to the site of ancient Babylon.

Capital transferred to Raqqa, Syria

The Abbasid Caliph Al Rashid temporarily transferred his/her court to Raqqa, Syria. Baghdad remained the cultural, intellectual and economic capital of the caliphate, becoming the capital once again after his/her death. Baghdad was the largest metropolis in the world at that time with an estimated population of 10 to 20 lakhs. Baghdad’s famous Grand Library, Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom, used to be a gathering place for philosophers, scientists and poets from all over the world.

Minor compared to Baghdad, the capital of the Roman emperor

At that time, Charlemagne’s capital Aachen was in today’s Germany, near the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. Aachen was a very minor city, not even counted among the largest cities in Europe. Charlemagne chose it for strategic, political and military reasons.

Christians expelled from Syria after 8 crusades

The result of these 8 crusades was that Christians were expelled from Syria. Muslims came to rule there too. Countries like Türkiye were formed. The rule of Arabs spread all over the world. Muslim rule started in India also at that time.